As stated in a previous blog post, Gideon and I have been tight on money due to us trying to save for a house.

Because of this my lavish make up buying ways have come to a halt. This weekend, however, I was able to stretch my dollar further by hitting up the sales and bagging myself some AWESOME make up bargains. Who doesn't love sale time?

1. Revlon Nearly Naked foundation: I've heard some awesome things about this foundation and I really wanted to give it a go but $25 dollars for a foundation seemed a little bit much for our budget right now. Feeling down, I thought I had no hope until I checked my mail box and I had a $9 Priceline voucher through their Sister Club rewards program. I was able to grab this awesome foundation for $16 which pleased both Gideon and I immensely.

2. Maybelline Super Stay 24hr Waterproof Powder: I am a big fan of Maybelline and I think my first make up purchase was an eyeshadow quad by them. I saw this product and I had to have it but again, $20 for a powder was stretching it. Whilst Gideon and I were in Big W looking for some stuff I took a gander down the make up section and to my delight this product was reduced down to $14. Happy Clarissa.

3. Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail polishes in Black Diamond (325) and Mint Mojito (285): I wrote a blogpost about my love for these nail polishes a while back and explained the fantastic deal of 2 for $7 at Coles. Well, I think that deal has just been replaced with the bargain price of these nail polishes! I picked them up at Big W for $2.40 each. Seriously. The best.

4. Ulta3 Nail Colours in Corsican Rose and Lilac Bloom. Ok, I know the green minty colour is similar to the Covergirl Mint Mojito I bought but I just really love these colours for winter and even for when spring and summer come around too. I think these polishes took the cake at the biggest bargain for this weekend at 70c per bottle. I love Ulta3 polishes too with their thick formula and opaque colours which makes your nails look amazing. I can't wait to paint my nails!

I challenge everyone to look around and tell me about all the make up bargains you find! What has your favourite purchase been so far?

Let me know.

-C.

Flowers and Polka Dots | Nail Art

I'm pretty rarely seen without nail polish even if its cracked and chipped; i'll still rock that look on my nails for weeks.

I'd rather have polish on my nails than have them naked.

Anyway, I've been watching BubzBeauty on YouTube for a while now & I am so amazed by her talents, not only with make up and beauty but also her ability to have a positive and realistic outlook on life no matter what hardship she is going through. She has been around on YouTube for a while so I'm sure any make up enthusiast on the internet would know who she is.

She posted this really cute nail art tutorial this week, and because i'm pretty unskilled in the whole nail art area, I thought i'd give it a go.

So here is my rendition of her nail art tutorial.

What you'll need:

• Nail polish
• Toothpicks
• Bobby pins
• Palette (I used a clear piece of plastic)
• A steady hand

The tutorial:

My results:

I am SO pleased with myself! Seriously, it doesn't look half bad!

They're so cute even if I did stuff up the spots a little bit :) I changed the colours and the overall look of them to suit my style too, so it's up to you what you do. I just drew inspiration from this easy tutorial.

Try it yourself!

-C.

First Impressions | CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish.

I wear a lot of nail polish. I feel naked without it on my nails.

My collection spans brands from OPI to Sally Hansen. I like to try everything before I set myself up for some favourites, and also I have a serious addiction to buying beauty related products so I have to buy everything anyway.

This week I thought I'd review and swatch CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish in colours Out of the Blue 295 and Wine to Five 190. You see, I was out shopping with my lovely husband Gideon for our weekly groceries when I strolled down the cosmetics aisle (standard). There was a whole bunch of these CoverGirl nail polishes with the fabulous deal of 2 for $7. I couldn't say no! Gideon insisted that I choose some colours to add to my collection. Being the indecisive person that I am, I got him to choose the colours he thought I would like. I think he did pretty well, don't you think?

The colours:

Out of the Blue 295:

This nail colour is like a lovely denim or royal blue colour. It looks fantastic on any skin tone as it is opaque and very bold.

Wine to Five 190:

This nail colour is an amazing deep red wine colour, like a chestnut, cardinal or fire brick colour. It looks amazing on fair skin as it allows the colour to pop.

Photos:


Out of the Blue 295:

Wine to Five 190:

Formula: It applies with ease, its sheer and also its fast drying. I obtained a lovely full coverage with 2-3 coats.

Application: As seen above I received a full coverage in about 2-3 coats. Working from my pointer to my pinky (right to left) you can see the gradual opacity of the colour as I increased the coats. I would also recommend a base coat and a top coat to protect your natural nail and to increase the longevity of the nail polish (reduce chipping). Both colours achieved similar results.

Brush: The brush allowed for an even distribution of the nail polish in about 2 swipes over the nail for each application. It also allowed for easy application with its nice and even bristles.

Extra information: This colour was very easy to remove with standard nail polish remover. It left little to no stains on my natural nail.

Nail art: My personal preference with my nails involves me making a 'statement' nail, usually my ring finger, just to add a little extra to my nail look. For my nails this week I chose to use Wine to Five 190 with an American Apparel Glitter polish in Galaxy. You can purchase this glitter nail polish here.

I love this glitter polish as i'm able to add individual, chunky glitter pieces to my nails with ease. It also contains a thick jelly-like formula which secures the glitter and also increases the longevity of the overall nail look!

My favourite statement look.

Overall Impressions: I am very pleased with these nail colours! They compliment my skin tone and they last an impressive amount of time for a 'drugstore' nail polish. The collection contains an array of various colours for you to pick and choose, and the price is very impressive as well. 

I will give this product a rating of:

Four unicorns.

Stay classy.

-C.

P.S Sugamama helped me photograph & write today's first impressions post so she gets an honourable mention  :) Isn't she just the cutest?